Lilyvale - Timeline

The Metropolitan Hotel built by George Welch (Black Diamonds, 2nd ed., LR994.46 BAY)

1891

Church of England built by [George] Ricketts (Illawarra Index)

1896

The Helensburgh and Lilyvale Workmen's Club and Mutual School of Artsformed in reaction to the mistreatment of miners in Helensburgh's two pubs (Black Diamonds, 2nd ed., LR994.46 BAY; Helensburgh: the first hundred years, LRQ994.46 BUC)

1908

Growth in traffic on the Illawarra Railway caused congestion and increased hazards; the Waterfall-Otford duplication was proposed including the adjustments around Lilyvale station and the Liliyvale tunnel (Illawarra Index)

1909

Bushfires raged along the coast, devastating Lilyvale; residences, poultry, and fruit and vegetable gardens were lost, including the abundant crop of blackberries around Lilyvale station. The station itself caught fire several times, but was saved by residents (SMH, 6/1/1909, p. 10)

1909

The Pubic Works Committee presented its report on the proposed Waterfall-Otford deviation to Parliament, recommending it be carried out (Illawarra Index)

1913

Sections of the Waterfall-Otford deviation completed, with Helensburgh and Lilyvale being cleared (Illawarra Index)

1925

Helensburgh and Liliyvale Women's Social and Literary Club opened (Illawarra Index)

1945

Lady Wakehurst Drive opened (European history: Royal National Park, MSS1162)